Coupling for a camshaft phaser arrangement for a concentric camshaft assembly

Abstract

A camshaft phaser arrangement configured for a concentric camshaft assembly having inner and outer camshafts is provided. The camshaft phaser arrangement includes a first camshaft phaser, a second camshaft phaser, and a coupling that torsionally connects the first camshaft phaser to the second camshaft phaser. Each of the camshaft phasers is configured to be connected to either the inner or the outer camshaft. The coupling includes at least one flexible connector that provides for radial and axial movement between the first camshaft phaser and the second camshaft phaser.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A camshaft phaser arrangement configured for a concentric camshaft assembly having inner and outer camshafts, the camshaft phaser arrangement comprising:
 a first camshaft phaser configured to be connected to one of the inner or outer camshafts; 
 a second camshaft phaser configured to be connected to the other of the inner or outer camshafts; 
 the first camshaft phaser axially adjacent to the second camshaft phaser; and, 
 a coupling arranged to torsionally connect the first camshaft phaser to the second camshaft phaser, the coupling comprising:
 at least one flexible connector having:
 a first connection to one of the first or second camshaft phaser; and, 
 a second connection to the other of the first or second camshaft phaser; and, 
 the at least one flexible connector configured to provide for radial movement and axial movement between the first camshaft phaser and the second camshaft phaser. 
 
 
 
     
     
       2. The camshaft phaser arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one flexible connector deflects laterally to provide for axial movement of at least one of the first camshaft phaser or the second camshaft phaser. 
     
     
       3. The camshaft phaser arrangement of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one flexible connector is arc-shaped. 
     
     
       4. The camshaft phaser arrangement of  claim 3 , wherein an angular span of the at least one flexible connector ranges from 1 degree to 359 degrees. 
     
     
       5. The camshaft phaser arrangement of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one flexible connector is configured with a first aperture at a first end, and a second aperture at a second end. 
     
     
       6. The camshaft phaser arrangement of  claim 5 , further comprising at least one first fastener received by the first aperture, the at least one first fastener connecting the at least one flexible connector to the one of the first or second camshaft phaser. 
     
     
       7. The camshaft phaser arrangement of  claim 5 , further comprising at least one second fastener received by the second aperture, the at least one second fastener connecting the at least one flexible connector to the other of the first or second camshaft phaser. 
     
     
       8. The camshaft phaser arrangement of  claim 5 , wherein the second aperture is a slotted hole. 
     
     
       9. The camshaft phaser arrangement of  claim 8 , wherein a pathway for the radial movement is defined by the slotted hole. 
     
     
       10. The camshaft phaser arrangement of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one axial extension having a first end that connects to the at least one flexible connector and a second end that connects to either the first or second camshaft phaser. 
     
     
       11. The camshaft phaser arrangement of  claim 10 , wherein the second end of the axial extension is connected to the second camshaft phaser, the first camshaft phaser arranged axially outward of the second camshaft phaser. 
     
     
       12. The camshaft phaser arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first or second camshaft phaser is an electric camshaft phaser or a hydraulic camshaft phaser. 
     
     
       13. The camshaft phaser arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein a first end of the at least one flexible connector is connected to the first camshaft phaser, and a second end of the at least one flexible connector is connected to the second camshaft phaser, the first camshaft phaser arranged axially outward of the second camshaft phaser. 
     
     
       14. The camshaft phaser arrangement of  claim 13 , wherein the first end of the at least one flexible connector is connected to a non-phased component of the first camshaft phaser and the second end of the at least one flexible connector is connected to a non-phased component of the second camshaft phaser. 
     
     
       15. The camshaft phaser arrangement of  claim 14 , wherein the second camshaft phaser includes a drive wheel configured with a power transmission interface. 
     
     
       16. The camshaft phaser arrangement of  claim 14 , wherein the first camshaft phaser is an electric camshaft phaser, and the second camshaft phaser is a hydraulic camshaft phaser. 
     
     
       17. The camshaft phaser arrangement of  claim 16 , wherein the first end of the at least one flexible connector is connected to an outer collar of the first camshaft phaser. 
     
     
       18. The camshaft phaser arrangement of  claim 16 , wherein the first camshaft phaser is configured to be connected to the inner camshaft, and the second camshaft phaser is configured to be connected to the outer camshaft. 
     
     
       19. The camshaft phaser arrangement of  claim 16 , wherein the second end of the at least one flexible connector is connected to a stator of the second camshaft phaser. 
     
     
       20. A coupling configured to torsionally connect a first camshaft phaser to a second camshaft phaser, the coupling comprising at least one flexible connector with a first end configured to connect with a first camshaft phaser and a second end configured to connect with a second camshaft phaser, the at least one flexible connector configured to provide for radial movement and axial movement between the first camshaft phaser and the second camshaft phaser.